U.S. patent number 4,161,271 [Application Number 05/864,552] was granted by the patent office on 1979-07-17 for pinning machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles B. Bussard.
United States Patent |
4,161,271 |
Bussard |
July 17, 1979 |
Pinning machine
Abstract
There is disclosed a tag attaching method, particularly a method
of pinning tags to merchandise and apparatus for carrying out the
method. The illustrated apparatus includes a plunger and a
cooperable anvil between which a tag and merchandise are positioned
and through which a fastener specifically a pin is driven to attach
the tag to the merchandise. While the pin is being driven through
the tag and merchandise, a movable pin guiding and crimping member
moves relative to the plunger, the tag and the pin. The pin is
driven firstly through the tag, secondly through the merchandise,
thirdly through the merchandise again, fourthly through the tag
again, and fifthly through the tag again, and thereupon the movable
pin guiding and pin crimping member is moved again to crimp the
pin. A bottom tag in a stack is separated by feeding it toward the
pinning zone in one machine cycle and the separated tag is
positioned between the anvil and the plunger during the early part
of the next machine cycle. The tag feeding device for separating
the bottom tag and the tag feeding device for positioning the
separated tag at the pinning zone move relative to each other
during the pinning cycle. A cycle of machine operation can only be
initiated when manually operable actuators disposed on opposite
sides of the anvil and plunger are both actuated.
Inventors: |
Bussard; Charles B. (Kettering,
OH) |
Assignee: |
Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
(Dayton, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
24574082 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/864,552 |
Filed: |
December 27, 1977 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
789763 |
Apr 22, 1977 |
|
|
|
|
641842 |
Dec 18, 1975 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
227/8;
227/65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65C
7/001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65C
7/00 (20060101); B31F 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;227/1,2,8,67,65,25
;83/DIG.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lake; Roy
Assistant Examiner: Bell; Paul A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Grass; Joseph J.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of application Serial No. 789,763, filed
Apr. 22, 1977, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No.
641,842, filed Dec. 18, 1975, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for pinning tags to merchandise, comprising: an anvil,
a plunger cooperable with the anvil, means for feeding a tag along
a path to a position between the anvil and the plunger, means for
moving the plunger and the anvil relatively toward each other to
hold the tag and the merchandise in a bent orientation at a pinning
zone, means for driving a pin through the tag and the merchandise
to pin the tag to the merchandise, a pair of independently movable
actuators disposed on opposite sides of the pinning zone adjacent
the anvil and the plunger, the means effective only when both
actuators are simultaneously in their operated positions, for
operating the tag feeding means, the plunger and the pin driving
means through an operating cycle, wherein the operating means
includes a camshaft, a cam secured to the camshaft, and means
controlled by the cam for preventing the operation of the apparatus
through more than one cycle until both actuators have been
released.
2. Apparatus for pinning tags to merchandise, comprising: an anvil,
a plunger cooperable with the anvil, means for feeding a tag along
a path to a position between the anvil and the plunger, means for
moving the plunger and the anvil relatively toward each other to
hold the tag and the merchandise in a bent orientation at a pinning
zone, means for driving a pin through the tag and the merchandise
to pin the tag to the merchandise, a pair of independently movable
first and second actuators disposed on opposite sides of the
pinning zone adjacent the anvil and the plunger, and means
effective only when both actuators are simultaneously in their
operated positions for operating the tag feeding means, the plunger
and the pin driving means through an operating cycle, wherein the
operating means includes a camshaft, a cam secured to the camshaft,
a single-revolution clutch for driving the camshaft, and an
electrical circuit for controlling the single-revolution clutch,
the circuit including first and second switches operable when the
respective first and second actuators are in their operated
positions, the circuit further including means having a third
switch controlled by the cam for preventing reoperation of the
single revolution clutch during the cycle.
3. Apparatus for pinning tags to merchandise, comprising: an anvil,
a plunger cooperable with the anvil, means for feeding a tag along
a path to a position between the anvil and the plunger, means for
moving the plunger and the anvil relatively toward each other to
hold the tag and the merchandise in a bent orientation at a pinning
zone, means for driving a pin through the tag and the merchandise
to pin the tag to the merchandise, a pair of independently movable
first and second actuators disposed on opposite sides of the
pinning zone adjacent the anvil and the plunger, and means
effective only when both actuators are simultaneously in their
operated positions for operating the tag feeding means, the plunger
and the pin driving means through an operating cycle, wherein the
operating means includes a camshaft, a cam secured to the camshaft,
a single-revolution clutch for driving the camshaft,
electromagnetic means for initiating an operating cycle, and an
electrical circuit for controlling the single revolution clutch,
the circuit including first and second switches operable when the
respective first and second actuators are in their operated
positions, wherein the circuit further includes means having a
third switch controlled by the cam for preventing reoperation of
the electromagnetic means until after completion of the cycle and
until both actuators have been released.
4. Apparatus for attaching a tag to merchandise, comprising: means
for inserting a fastener into merchandise at a tag attaching zone
to attach a tag to the merchandise, a pair of actuators disposed on
opposite sides of the tag attaching zone, and means only responsive
to the manual operation of both actuators for operating the
fastener inserting means, wherein the operating means includes a
camshaft, a cam secured to the camshaft, a single-revolution clutch
for driving the camshaft through a single revolution, and a circuit
having two pairs of switch means controlled by the respective
actuators, each pair having first and second switches,
electromagnetic means including a first coil for effecting
engagement of the clutch when energized, a relay including a second
coil, a normally closed third switch opened in response to
energization of the second coil and a normally open fourth switch
closed in response to energization to the second coil, a fifth
switch held open by the cam only when the camshaft is at the
beginning and at the end of its rotation, the first switches, the
first coil and the third switch being connected in series, the
second switches being connected in parallel with each other and in
series with the second coil, and the fourth and fifth switches
being connected in parallel with each other and in series with the
second coil.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided apparatus of
attaching tags to merchandise in which a fastener is inserted into
merchandise at a tag attaching zone to attach the tag to the
merchandise. A pair of actuators are provided on opposite sides of
the tag attaching zone. The merchandise to which the tag is to be
attached is manually grasped with two hands at spaced-apart
locations. The portion of the merchandise spanning the locations is
inserted at the tag attaching zone and thereupon both actuators are
operated with the hands while the merchandise is so inserted, and a
tag is attached to the merchandise only in response to operation of
both actuators. In the illustrated embodiment the fastener is a pin
which is driven through both the tag and the merchandise, although
other forms of fasteners can be used. The essential feature is that
a pair of actuators be operated manually while the merchandise is
being inserted with the hands that hold the merchandise. In this
manner it will be assured that the hands are free of the tag
attaching zone where the fastener is inserted through the
merchandise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of tag attaching apparatus and
methods, and particularly pinning machines and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing major components of
a pinning machine for carrying out the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view on a larger scale than FIG.
1, showing major components of the tag feeding mechanism;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gate structure shown in
exploded form in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the gate structure from a different
viewing angle;
FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken generally along line 5--5 of
FIG. 33;
FIG. 6 is a view showing a fragmentary portion of the mechanism
shown in FIG. 5, but in a different position;
FIG. 7 is a view showing a fragmentary portion of the mechanism
shown in FIG. 5, in yet a different position;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a fragmentary portion of the mechanism
shown in FIG. 5 in still a different position;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a fragmentary portion of
the mechanism shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a plunger,
an anvil, and a pin driver in their initial or home positions, with
merchandise positioned between the plunger and the anvil, and with
a tag moving toward its final position at the pinning zone between
the anvil and the plunger;
FIG. 10A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 10A--10A of
FIG. 10.
FIG. 10B is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 10B--10B of
FIG. 10.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing the pin guiding
and crimping member as having moved downwardly into contact with
the tag, the plunger as moving upwardly toward the anvil, and the
pin driver as starting to drive a pin;
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the plunger
cooperating with the anvil;
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the pin as having
been driven through both the tag and the merchandise once;
FIG. 14 is a view showing the pin as having been driven through
both the tag and the merchandise twice and showing the pin guiding
and crimping member as having moved upwardly;
FIG. 15 is a view showing the pin penetrating the tag for the third
time and showing the pin guiding and crimping member as having
moved downwardly again;
FIG. 16 is a view showing the pin as having been driven through the
tag for the third time and showing the pin guiding and crimping
member as having moved upwardly again;
FIG. 17 is a view showing the pin guiding and crimping member as
moving toward the plunger to crimp the pin, the leading end portion
of which is supported by a guide or support;
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing mainly the anvil
and the pin guiding and crimping member;
FIG. 19 is an elevational view partly in section showing a brake
mounted by the anvil;
FIG. 20 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the manner in which
merchandise is manually inserted between the anvil and the plunger
and the manner in which the user's hands contact actuators to
initiate a cycle of operation;
FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21--21 of FIG. 29;
FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but showing operative follower
parts in positions in which the plunger encounters undue
resistance;
FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23--23 of FIG. 29;
FIG. 24 is a side elevational fragmentary view showing the manner
in which the trailing marginal ends of the tags in the hopper are
supported and showing a yieldable handle member;
FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the pinning machine;
FIG. 26 is a left side elevational view of the pinning machine;
FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the pinning machine;
FIG. 28 is a right side elevational view of the pinning
machine;
FIG. 29 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view showing a
portion of the drive train for the pinning machine and the
relationship of the feeding mechanism with respect thereto;
FIG. 30 is a top plan view showing follower parts in a position in
which the pin driver encounters undue resistance;
FIG. 31 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the
line 31--31 of FIG. 29;
FIG. 32 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line
32--32 of FIG. 29;
FIG. 33 is an enlarged top plan view of the frontal portion of the
pinning machine showing the relationship of certain operative
components;
FIG. 34 is an enlarged front elevational view showing the frontal
portion of the machine;
FIG. 35 is a view taken along line 35--35 of FIG. 29 showing
operative follower parts in both solid and phantom line
positions;
FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 35 showing the follower parts
moved relatively apart due to undue resistance encountered by the
tag feeding mechanism;
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of one of the actuators used to
initiate a machine cycle;
FIG. 38 is a front elevational view of a tag feeding assembly of
the tag feeding mechanism;
FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the tag feeding assembly shown in
FIG. 38;
FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken generally along line 40--40 of
FIG. 39;
FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken generally along line 41--41 of
FIG. 39;
FIG. 42 is a view similar to FIG. 41 but showing a slide of the
assembly as moving away from the home or initial position shown in
FIGS. 38 through 40;
FIG. 43 is a view similar to FIGS. 41 and 42, wherein the latches
have been tripped but the needles of the assembly being held out of
impaling relationship with respect to the bottom tag in the
stack;
FIG. 44 is a view similar to FIGS. 41 through 43, but showing the
needle as having moved the bottom tag forward and partially through
the gate structure;
FIG. 45 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view showing the
manner in which the needles are removably mounted to the
assembly;
FIG. 46 is a circuit diagram for the apparatus;
FIG. 47 is a circuit diagram showing an alternative embodiment;
and
FIG. 48 is a timing diagram for the pinning machine;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference initially to FIG. 1 in which there is shown a
fragmentary portion of a pinning machine generally indicated at 50,
there is shown an electric motor 51 which drives a speed reducer
52. A sprocket 53 is keyed to output shaft 54 of the speed reducer
52 by a key 55. A roller chain 56 is drivingly engaged with the
sprocket 53 and a sprocket 57. A connector generally indicated at
58 has a shaft portion 59 which extends through a bore 60 in a
bearing 61. The shaft portion 59 is suitably secured to sprocket
57. The connector 58 also has a shaft portion 62 which is suitably
secured to the input side 63 of a single revolution wrapped-spring
clutch 64. The clutch 64 is engaged by the action of an
electromagnet or solenoid 65. Output side 66 of the clutch 64 is
secured to cam shaft 67. The cam shaft 67 is thus rotatably
supported by the bearing 61 and in a bearing 70 mounted in a
bracket 71 (FIGS. 23 and 29). Cams 72 through 76 and a crank 77 are
secured to and rotate as a unit with the cam shaft 67.
The speed reducer 52, the bearing 61, and the bracket 71 are
secured to a generally horizontal base plate 78 (FIG. 29) of a
frame generally indicated at 79. The frame 79 also includes a
generally horizontal frame plate 80 (FIG. 29) disposed above the
base plate 78. The base plate 78 mounts a bearing 81 and the frame
plate 80 mounts a bearing 82 disposed vertically above the bearing
81. Referring again to FIG. 1, there is shown a generally vertical
shaft 83, which is rotatable in the bearings 81 and 82. An arm 84
is secured to the shaft 83 by a set screw 85. An actuator 86 is
spaced from the arm 84 by a washer 87. The shaft 83 extends through
a hole 88 in the actuator 86 and through a hole 88' in the arm 84.
The arm 84 and the actuator 86 have respective flanges 89 and 90
which anchor the ends of a tension spring 91. The arm 84 and the
actuator 86 also have respective flanges 92 and 93. A screw 94 is
threadably received by the flange 92 and is held in its adjusted
position by a lock nut 95. Free end 96 of the screw 94 is normally
in contact with the flange 93 due to the action of the tension
spring 91, and in this position the arm 84 and the actuator 86
rotate as a unit together with the shaft 83.
The shaft 83 carries a bracket 97. The bracket 97 includes aligned
posts 98 and 99 (FIG. 29) for rotatably mounting respective roller
followers 100 and 101. The followers 100 and 101 are driven by
respective cams 72 and 73 to rock the shaft 83 in opposite
directions about the generally vertical axis A as indicated by
double-headed arrow 102 in FIG. 1. One complete revolution of the
cam shaft 67 will cause the actuator 86 to be driven in the
clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 to move a pin driver 103
generally to the left and will thereafter cause the actuator 86 to
be driven in the counterclockwise direction to move the pin driver
103 generally to the right.
A bracket 104 is secured to the base plate 78 by fasteners 105
(FIG. 29). The bracket 104 has aligned holes 106 which rotatably
mount end portions 107 of a shaft 108. A lever or bell crank
generally indicated at 109 has arms 110 and 111. The arm 110
rotatably mounts a roller follower 112 and the arm 111 rotatably
mounts a roller follower 113. The followers 112 and 113 cooperate
with respective cams 75 and 74. A lever or bell crank 114 is
movably mounted on and with respect to the shaft 108. A tension
spring 115 is anchored at one end to a pin 116 carried by the arm
111 and is anchored at its other end to the lever 114, as better
shown in FIG. 21. The arm 110 has a flange 117 which threadably
receives a set screw 118. The bell crank 114 has an arm 119 having
a flange 120. The screw 118 normally abuts the flange 120 as shown
in FIG. 21 due to the force exerted by the spring 115, and
accordingly, the bell cranks 111 and 114 rotate together as a unit.
The lever 114 has a bifurcated end 121 which receives a pin 122
which extends through bifurcated end 123 of a plunger 124. The
plunger 124 is suitably guided for generally vertical movement
along a vertical axis A1 in a guide 125 (FIG. 21). The guide 125 is
secured to a frame member or plate 126 which also consititutes part
of the frame 79. The upper end of the plunger 124 has a pin guide
groove 127. The plunger 124 is cooperable with an anvil generally
indicated at 128. The anvil 128 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1
and in detail in FIG. 18. Movably mounted to the anvil is a movable
member 129 (FIG. 18) which serves the dual function of guiding and
crimping the pin.
As seen in FIG. 1, the crank 77 includes a pin 130. Rotation of the
cam shaft 67 causes the pin 130 to be driven in a circular path.
The pin 130 drives a follower generally indicated at 131. The
follower 131 includes a pair of follower members or sections 132
and 133. A bracket 134 is suitably secured to the base plate 78.
The bracket 134 mounts a shaft 135. The follower sections 132 and
133 are generally flat plates. The follower section 132 is secured
to a bushing 136 rotatably mounted on the shaft 135 and the
follower section 133 is secured to a bushing 137 rotatably mounted
on the shaft 135.
The follower section 132 bears against a post 138 in the position
shown in FIG. 1. Springs 139 and 140 urge a face 141 (FIG. 36) of
follower section 132 against the post 138. As shown in FIGS. 35 and
36 springs 139 and 140 are connected at their respective ends to
posts 142 and 143 on the respective follower sections 132 and 133.
In the position of the follower 131 shown in FIGS. 1 and 35, the
follower sections 32 and 133 provide an elongated slot 144 in which
the pin 130, which includes a roller 145, is received. In that the
pin 130 is eccentric with respect to the cam shaft 67 and because
slot 144 is positioned between the shaft 135 and a pivot 146
secured to the follower section 133, the pivot 146 travels through
a considerable distance. This movement through a considerable
distance is accomplished using the follower 131 which is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture. With reference to FIG. 1, a rod 147 has
a hole 148 in which the pivot 146 is received. The other end of the
rod 147 passes freely through a hole in a connector 149. Nuts 150
(FIG. 2) threadably received by the rod 147 securely connect the
connector 149 to the rod 147 at a selected position. With reference
to FIG. 2, the connector 149 has a hole 151 in which a post or
pivot 152 is received. The pivot 152 is secured to a block or slide
153. The slide 153 has bearings 154 (FIG. 23). A rod or guide 155,
which is shown to be annular, extends through and slidably mounts
the bearings 154. The rod 155 is secured at one end to the frame
plate 126 and at its other end to a frame plate 156 which
constitutes part of the frame 79. The rod 155 extends generally
horizontally and is disposed below the frame plate 80 which is
connected to the frame plates 126 and 156. The slide 153 has four
upstanding posts 157, 158, 159 and 160 (FIG. 2) and respective
aligned holes 161 and 162 for receiving respective pivot pins 163
and 164 carried by respective feed fingers 165 and 166. The posts
157 and 159 have respective threaded bores 167 and 168 which
receive respective set screws 169 and 170 which can be locked into
position by means of nuts 171 and 172. The set screws 169 and 170
bear against inclined shoulders 173 and 174 of the respective feed
fingers 165 and 166. The set screws 169 and 170 enable individual
annular adjustment of the respective feed fingers 165 and 166 with
respect to the horizontal. The feed fingers 165 and 166 are free to
move in respective slots 175 and 176 in the frame plate 80. The
feed fingers 165 and 166 have respective drive faces 177 and 178
which are disposed below respective overhanging abutments or faces
179 and 180. It is apparent that the initial and final positions of
travel of the feed fingers 165 and 166 can be adjusted by loosening
the nuts 150 and moving the connector 149 to a different position
with respect to the rod 147 and when the connector 149 is in the
selected adjusted position the nuts 150 can be retightened.
With reference to FIG. 2, the feed fingers 165 and 166 and the
slide 153 constitute one feed assembly or device generally
indicated at 181. The tag feeding or tag separating device 181 and
a tag feeding or tag positioning assembly or device generally
indicated 182 constitute a tag feeding mechanism 183 of the
apparatus 50. The tag feeding device 182 is used to separate the
bottom tag T in a stack S held in a hopper generally indicated at
184. The tag feeding device 182 separates the bottom tag T from the
stack S by feeding the bottom tag a predetermined distance toward a
tag attaching or specifically a pinning zone Z (FIG. 1) between the
plunger 124 and the anvil 128, and the feed fingers 165 and 166
engage a separated tag T and feed the separated tag T to the proper
position in the pinning zone Z. The tag feeding device 182 will be
described in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 24 and 38
through 44.
The hopper 184 is constructed to accept tags of various lengths and
widths. The hopper 184 includes a generally vertical side plate 185
which is secured to the generally horizontal frame plate 80. A
generally vertical front plate 186 is secured to the frame plate 80
and to the side plate 185. The plates 185 and 186 provide reference
planes for side edges S1 and leading edges L1 of the tags T,
respectively. A plate or guide 187 is positioned against trailing
edges T1 of the tags T, as best shown in FIG. 26. The guide 187 is
secured to a bracket generally indicated at 188 by screws 189, as
shown in FIG. 2. The bracket has aligned pivots 190 which pivotally
mount a support 191 having support fingers or members 192. The
support 191 has a hole 193. A handle 194 is coupled to a connector
generally indicated at 195 secured to the tag feeding device 182.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 24, the connector 195 is shown to
have a body 196, an annular flange 197, a shoulder 198, and a screw
199 projecting from the shoulder. The connector 195 is shown to be
of one-piece construction. The handle 194 and the connector 195 are
coupled by a jaw clutch generally indicated at 200. The jaw clutch
200 is comprised in part by three equally annularly spaced teeth
201 and in remainder by three equally annularly spaced teeth 202 on
the connector 195. The jaw clutch 200 enables the handle 194 to be
rotated in opposite directions to tighten or loosen screw 199.
Rotation of the handle 194 so as to tighten screw 199 and cause the
support 191 to pivot counterclockwise (FIG. 24) due to the action
of the flange 197 bearing on the support 191. When the handle 194
is rotated so as to loosen the screw 199 the support 191 will pivot
clockwise (FIG. 24) due to gravity. In the position shown in FIG.
24, the trailing marginal ends of the tags T are raised above the
plate 80 on which the tags T are supported. The trailing marginal
ends of the tags T rest on ledges 203 of the respective support
fingers 192 and are thus spaced from the plate 80 that supports the
remainder of the tags T. In order to prevent the user from breaking
the handle 194 by pushing or pulling on it, there are gaps between
the teeth 201 of the handle and the teeth 202 of the connector 195.
A tension spring 204' is connected at one end to a post 205'
mounted inside the handle 194 and to a post 206' mounted inside the
connector 195. Construction of the jaw clutch 200 will enable the
handle to be deflected with respect to the connector 195 and the
spring 204 will return the handle 104 to the upright position shown
in FIGS. 2 and 24. Thus, if a user of the machine 50 attempts to
shift the guide 187 by pushing on the handle 104, the handle 104
cannot break because the handle will deflect. However, the handle
can be turned to rotate the screw 199. The screw 199 is received in
a threaded bore 204 in frame or body 205 of the device 182. Upon
tightening of the screw 199, the flange 197 bears against the
support 191 and the body 205 is drawn up against the underside of
the plate 80 to prevent movement of the support 191, the associated
bracket 188, the plate 187, and the tag feeding device 182. The
screw 199 and a pin 206 secured to the body 205 extend through
elongated slot 207 in the plate 80. The pin 206 and upper shank of
the screw 199 fit in the slot 207 with a minimum of clearance so
that the tag feeding device 182, the bracket 188, the support 191,
and the guide 187 can be slid for guided movement toward and away
from the pinning zone Z upon loosening the screw 199. Thereafter,
upon tightening the screw 199 by rotating the handle 194, the
device 182, the bracket 188, the support 191, and the plate 187 can
be clamped in position. The hopper 184 also includes a side guide
generally indicated at 208. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 34, side
guide 208 is shown to be movable into guided contact with side
edges S2 of the tags T. The lower edge of the side guide 208
contacts the upper surface of the plate 80. A generally U-shaped
bracket 209 is welded to the side guide 208. Screw 210 extends
through arms 211 and 212 of the bracket 209. A washer 213 bears
against the underside of the plate 80 and a nut 214 threadably
received by the screw 210 bears against the underside of the washer
213. A spring 215 bears against the arm 211 and against the C-ring
216 secured to shank 217 of the screw 210. The arm 211 has a
depending flange 218 which bears against the upper surface of the
plate 80. The forces exerted on the plate 80 by the guide 208 and
the flange 218 and the opposite force exerted on the plate 80 by
the washer 213 frictionally hold the side guide 208 in any desired
lateral position. The frictional forces can be changed by loosening
or tightening the nut 214 relative to the screw 210. The side guide
208 can be shifted laterally manually.
The side guide 185 (FIG. 2) has a vertically extending undercut
groove 219 for receiving mating pins 220 of a weight 221. The
weight 221 exerts a downward force at the leading marginal edge of
the top tag T of the stack S. The guide 187 has an undercut groove
222 for receiving mating rollers 223 mounted to a weight 224. By
unthreading a handle 225 from the weight 224, the weight 224 can be
oriented so that the rollers 226 fit into the groove 222 for tags
of narrower width. A gate mechanism generally indicated at 227
includes a body 227' having a bore 228 for receiving annular shank
229 of a pivot screw 230, a threaded portion 231 of which is
received in a threaded bore 232 in a mounting member 233 connected
to the plate 80. A plate 234 is secured to the body 227' by screws
235 received in threaded bores 236. A gate member generally
indicated at 237 is secured to the body 227' by screws 238 also
received in the threaded bores 236. The threaded portion 231
extends freely through an oversized hole 239 in the gate member
237. The gate member 237 has an upstanding portion 240 joined to a
generally horizontal laterally extending portion 241. A gate
element generally indicated at 242 is connected to the portion
241.
Another gate member generally indicated at 243 has a gate element
244 which is spaced from the gate element 242 to provide a gate
opening or throat T'. The gate element 243 has a pin 245 received
in an elongated slot 246 in the plate 234. An eccentric 248
received in the hole 247 is secured to a shaft 249 which extends
through a hole 250 in the plate 234. The shaft 249 is secured to a
knob 251. The plate 234 has a plurality of depressions 252. A ball
253 acted on by a spring 254 disposed in the knob 251 can cooperate
with the depressions 252 to hold the knob 251, the shaft 249 and
the eccentric 248 in a selected position. Rotation of the knob 251
will rotate the eccentric 248 and raise or lower the gate member
243 in accordance with the direction in which the knob 251 is
rotated, thereby changing the gate opening or throat T'. In the
assembled condition of the gate mechanism 227 illustrated in FIGS.
3 and 4, the body 227', the plate 234, the gate members 237 and 243
and the associated hardware rotate as a unit about the shank 229 of
the pivot screw 230. The gate mechanism 227 is urged clockwise as
viewed in FIG. 2 by a compression spring 255, a portion of which is
received in a depression 256 in the body 227. The spring 255 bears
against the surface of the side guide 185. The spring 255 causes
the gate element 242 to contact the leading marginal edge of the
bottom tag T in the stack S.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the pin driver 103 carried by a slide 258. The
slide 258 has a socket 260 for receiving a ball-shaped end portion
261 of an extension 262 threadably secured to a flange 263 of the
arm 86 and held in adjusted position by lock nuts 264 (FIG. 30).
The slide 258 and the pin driver 103 are received in a guideway
generally indicated at 265 (FIG. 34) provided by upper and lower
plates 266 and 267 and front and rear plates 268 and 269. The
plates 266, 267, 268 and 269 are considered to be part of the frame
79. When the arm 86 pivots clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, the pin
driven 103 is driven to the left and when the arm 86 pivots
counterclockwise, the pin driver 103 is driven to the right. With
reference to FIG. 5, the rear plate 269 mounts a lever 270 for
pivotal movement about an adjustable eccentric pivot 271. The one
end of the lever 270 on one side of the pivot 271 is bifurcated as
indicated at 272 and receives a pin 273 carried by the movable
member 129. With reference also to FIG. 9, the lever 270 has a
threaded bore 274, a one-way drive connection 275 including a plate
276 having a hole 277 and a pair of posts 278 and 279. An eccentric
280 received in the hole 277 pivotally mounts the plate 276. A
screw 282 extends through the collar 281, the eccentric 280, and an
elongated slot 283 in a cam plate 284 and is received in the
threaded bore 274. A tension spring 285 is connected at one end to
the post 279 and at its other end to a post 279' connected to the
plate 269. The tension spring 285 normally urges the plate 276
clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5 to a position in which the post 278
rests against the cam plate 284. The cam plate 284 has cam lobes
284a and 284b. The cam lobe 284a is considered to be an extension
of a cam face or surface 286 on the lever 270. The cam face 286 is
adapted to be contacted by a roller 262' on the actuator 86 to
pivot the lever 270 counterclockwise as the roller 262 moves to the
left as viewed in FIG. 10. Counterclockwise pivoting of the lever
270 will drive the movable member 129 toward the plunger 124 and
the tag T. The member 129 will thus be driven from the position
shown in FIG. 10 to the position shown in FIG. 11. In the position
shown in FIG. 11, the lever 270 has pivoted counterclockwise and
bears against the lobe 284a. In the position shown in FIG. 11, the
member 129 preferably just touches a tag T at the pinning zone Z
without bending that tag T. As the cam shaft 67 continues to
rotate, the plunger 124 continues to move upwardly to the position
shown in FIG. 12. It should be noticed that because of dwell in
cams 72 and 73, the roll 262' is in the same position in FIGS. 11
and 12 and the same is true for the pin driver in 103. However, in
FIG. 12 the plunger 124 has moved upwardly to its fullest extent
and has bent the tag T which is supported by a guide 185', by edge
314' on an anvil member 311 (FIG. 18), by concave surface 315 of an
anvil member 309, by movable member 129 and by a guide or support
185". As the roller 262' continues to move toward the left to the
position shown in FIG. 13 it encounters a drive face 287 on the
plate 276, thereby causing the plate 276 to be rotated clockwise
against the light force exerted by the spring 285. In the position
of FIG. 13, pin P has passed through the tag T and the merchandise
M once and is in guided relationship by a guide groove 129' in
member 129. The pin P is inclined downwardly slightly with respect
to the horizontal as shown but remains straight. When the camshaft
67 has rotated so that the roll 262' is in the position shown in
FIG. 14, the lever 270 has rotated clockwise under the urging of
the spring 285, thus raising the member 129 or, stated another way,
moving the member away from the tag T, the pin P, and the plunger
124. The pin driver 103 has driven the pin P to a position in which
its leading end is contacting groove 129". While the roll 262'
moves from the position shown in FIG. 14 to the position shown in
FIG. 15, the lever 270 rotates counterclockwise thus driving the
member 129 toward the plunger 124, the tag T and the pin P. This
movement of the member 129 causes the pin P to be guided or bent
toward the tag T as best shown in FIG. 15. As the roll 262'
continues to move to the left the roll 262' moves off the lobe 284b
and the lever 270 is thus urged clockwise by the spring 285, thus
raising the member 129 away from the pin P, the tag T and the
plunger 124. In the position shown in FIG. 16, the pin P has passed
through the tag T for the third time and the leading marginal end
P' of the pin P is guided or supported by the pin guide or support
185". Due to the inclination of the face of the support 185" and
the angle of approach of the pin P, the leading marginal end P' of
the pin P is driven upwardly as the pin P continues to be pushed to
the left by the pin driver 103. After the roll 262' has moved to
the left to the end of its travel, it begins to move to the right.
When the roll 262' encounters the cam lobe 284b the lever 270
pivots counterclockwise to drive the member 129 downwardly,
however, when the roll 262' encounters a cam face 288 on the plate
276 the member 129 is driven further toward the plunger 124, the
tag T and the pin P into the position illustrated in FIG. 17 in
which the pin P is crimped. During crimping the plunger 124 is
momentarily urged downwardly against the action of the spring 115.
The member 129 is in its maximum downward position when the lower
tip 289 of the cam face 288 is immediately above the high point of
the roll 262'. In the position shown in FIG. 17, the member 129 has
been driven downwardly to a greater extent than in the embodiments
of FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 15. After the drive member 129 has cleared
the cam face 288, the spring 285 pivots the lever 270 clockwise and
the roll 262' rides along the lobe 284a and cam face 286 until the
drive member 262 has returned to the position shown in FIG. 10. As
shown the cam surfaces 284a and 284b lie along a straight line
passing through the axis of rotation of the lever 270 so that the
member 129 is in the same position in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 15, so
that the member 129 just touches the tag T without bending it as is
preferred.
Referring to FIG. 5, the slide 258 carries a pin 258' which is used
to actuate the pin strip actuating mechanism generally indicated at
288. Referring briefly to FIG. 10, the pins P are carried in the
paper strip PS. The paper strip PS is folded as shown in FIG. 10
and passes in the folded condition under the bottom guide 267 and
from there it passes between the nip of respective idler roll 290
and feed wheel 290'. The feed wheel 290' contains a one-way clutch
291. The clutch 291 is operated by an arm 292 having a pin 293.
Links 294 and 295 are pivotally connected by a pin 296. The link
294 is pivotally connected to the pin 293 and the link 295 is
pivotally mounted on a pin 297 mounted to the plate 269. The drive
pin 258' contacts the link 295 as the slide 258 moves to the left
(FIG. 5) thereby causing the arm 292 to pivot clockwise and
rotating the feed wheel 290' clockwise as shown in FIG. 8. A
tension spring 298 is connected at one end to the pin 293 and at
its other end to the pin 297. When the slide 258 is moved to the
right during the next operating cycle of the machine, the drive pin
258' is moved to the right and the spring 298 moves the links 294
and 295 to a position (FIG. 5) in which the adjacent ends of the
links 294 and 295 abut an outturned flange 299 of an adjustable
slotted stop 300 held in position by screw 301. Adjustment of the
stop 300 will adjust the counterclockwise travel of the arm 292 and
consequently the angle of rotation of the one-way clutch 291 and
the travel of the feed wheel 290.
With reference to FIG. 18, the anvil 128 is shown to include anvil
members 307, 308 and 309. The members 307, 308 and 309 can be
considered to be anvil members in that they individually absorb
some of the force exerted by the plunger 124. The anvil member 308
is generally plate-like but has guide members 310 and 311 which
provide a guide groove 312 in which plate-like movable member 129
is received. The anvil member 309 is also plate-like and serves as
a retainer for retaining and guiding the movable member 129 for
straight line movement and more particularly vertical movement in
the groove 312. The anvil member 307 is formed integrally with the
plate 269. The anvil member 307, 308 and 309 have respective
concave surfaces 313, 314, and 315 which are shown to face
downwardly. The radius of curvature of the concave surface 315 is
less than the radius of curvature of surfaces 313 or 314 as best
shown in FIGS. 10 through 17. The anvil members 307, 308 and 309
are shown to be held in assembled relationship by screws 316 and
317 which extend through respective holes 318, 319, and 321 and 322
and are threadably received in respective threaded holes 320 and
323. The movable member 129 carries the post or pin 273 which
extends through aligned elongated slots 325 and 326 in respective
anvil members 307 and 308, and is received by bifurcated end 272 of
the actuator 270. The anvil 128 mounts a pivotal brake generally
indicated at 327. The brake 327 exerts a braking force against the
tag T as it is fed to the pinning zone Z. The brake 327 includes a
brake member 328 having a hole 329 at its one end portion 330. The
end portion 330 is received in guided relationship in a slot 331 in
the anvil member 307. A pivot screw 332 passes through portion 333
of the anvil member 307 and is threaded into threaded hole 334. A
compression spring 335 is received in a bore 336 (FIG. 19) in the
anvil member 309 and bears against the other end portion 336 of the
brake member 328. The force that the spring 335 exerts on the brake
member 328 is adjustable by means of a movable abutment 337 carried
by an arm 338. A screw 339 received in a threaded bore 340 in the
anvil member 309 holds the arm 338 and its abutment 337 in the
adjusted position. The brake member 328 is also guided in slot 341
in the anvil member 309.
With reference to FIG. 20, there are shown two manually operable
actuators 342 and 343 also shown in FIGS. 1, 26, 27, 28 and 34 for
example for operating respective switches 344 and 345 shown in FIG.
46. In accordance with the invention, the machine 50 can only be
operated by manual operation of both actuators and not either one
of the actuators 342 or 343 alone. According to FIG. 20, the
merchandise M is shown as having been inserted to a position
between the plunger 124 and the anvil 128 in which the user's index
fingers are shown to be in contact with the actuators 342 and 343.
The actuators 342 and 343 are spaced on opposite sides of the
plunger 124. The anvil 128 is shown in outline only in FIG. 20. The
spacing of the actuator 342 from the plunger 124 and the anvil 128
and the spacing of the actuator 343 from the plunger 124 and the
anvil 128 is such that the hands of the user are free from the
pinning zone Z where the tag T is clamped between the plunger 124
and the anvil 128 and where the pin P is driven through the tag T
and the merchandise M. In that two-hand manual actuation is
required to initiate a cycle of machine operation, both hands of
the user must be free of the pinning zone, and yet the merchandise
can be grasped at spaced-apart locations as shown in FIG. 20, so
that the plunger 124 and the anvil 128 can cooperate with the tag T
and the merchandise M. The circuit diagram shown in FIG. 46 will be
explained in connection with the overall operation of the
machine.
The actuators 342 and 343 and their associated mounting means are
identical and accordingly only one actuator 342 and its associated
mounting means and switch is shown in FIG. 37. The mounting
assembly generally indicated at 346 is shown to include a bracket
347 for mounting a pin 348. The pin 348 pivotally mounts the
actuator 342. The bracket 347 also mounts the switch 344 which has
an actuating springurged plunger 349. Straps 350 secured to the
actuator 342 and to the pin 348 enable the actuator 342 and the pin
348 to pivot as a unit. A post 351 secured to the pin 348 anchors
one end of a tension spring 352. The other end of the spring 352 is
anchored to a flange 353 of the bracket 347 and normally urges the
actuator 342 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 37, thereby depressing the
plunger 349. Manual actuation of the actuator 342 causes the
actuator 342 to pivot counterclockwise, thereby causing the plunger
349 to move outwardly to close the switch 344. Release of the
actuator 342 will enable the spring 352 to pivot the actuator 342
clockwise, thereby depressing the plunger 349 and opening the
switch 344. The position of the actuator 342 can be adjusted by
means of set screws 354, the free end of which abuts the bracket
347 due to the action of the spring 352 when the actuator 342 is
released. Accordingly, the amount of movement of the actuator 342
can be adjusted by adjusting the set screw 354. The position of the
mounting assembly 346 and the actuator 342 can be adjusted toward
and away from the front of the machine 50 by means of screws 355
passing through slots 356 in the flange 353 and threadably received
in the base plate 78.
With reference to FIG. 39, plates 357 and 359 are secured to the
plate 358 by threaded fasteners 360. A bracket 361 spaced from the
plate 358 is connected to the plates 357 and 359 by fasteners 362.
A plate 363 is secured to the top of the plate 358 by fasteners
364. The plate 358 has holes 365 for receiving generally hat-shaped
members 366 which are retained by flanges 366'. The plates 357,
358, 359, and 363, the bracket 361, and the members 366 are
considered to be part of the body or frame 205. A slide 367 is
slidably mounted on a post or guide 368 threadably received in the
plate 358. Springs 369 and 370 are equidistantly spaced on opposite
sides of the post 368 so that the slide 367 is normally urged
toward the right as shown in FIG. 39, for example, that is, toward
the pinning zone Z between the plunger 124 and the anvil 128 at the
front of the machine. The slide 367 is capable of being moved in
the opposite direction, that is, away from the pinning zone Z by
the action of a cam-controlled lever 371 in the form of a bell
crank. The lever 371 has arms 372, 372', and 373 secured to a shaft
374. The outer ends or arms 372, 372', and 373 rotatably mount
respective rollers 375, 375' and 376 which are equidistantly spaced
from the guide 368. Referring to FIG. 23, for example, the cam 76
drives a roller follower 377 carried by a bell crank generally
indicated at 378. The bell crank 378 is pivotally mounted on the
shaft 108. The bell crank 378 carries a roller 381 which drives a
slide 382. The slide 382 is guided for vertical movement by pins
383 received in slots 384 in the slide 382. Retainers 385 prevent
horizontal movement of slide 382. The slide 382 is movable from the
lowered or solid line position shown in FIG. 23 to the raised or
phantom-line position shown in FIG. 23. As the slide 382 moves from
the home or fully lowered position shown in FIG. 41, to the
position shown in FIG. 42, bell crank 371 pivots counterclockwise
driving the slide 367 to the left. Lowering of the slide 382 as
shown in FIG. 44 enables springs 369 and 370 to drive the slide 367
to the right. Roller 376 can ride on the horizontal upper surface
of the slide 382 and cause movement of needles 411, 412 and 413 in
any selected position of the device 182 relative to the pinning
zone Z. ;p The slide 367 comprises a plate 386 to which plates 387
and 388 are connected by fasteners 390. The plates 387 and 388 have
horizontally elongated guide slots 387a and 388a in which
respective guide pins 378b and 388b, mounted by plates 357 and 359,
are received. The plate 386 has three slots 391, 392, 393. A pin or
shaft 395 extends through a bore in the plate 386 and all of the
slots 391, 392 and 393. Therefore, identical latches 396, 397 and
398 disposed in respective slots 391, 392 and 393 are pivotally
mounted on the shaft 395. A pin or shaft 395' is mounted at its end
portions in plates 387 and 388. Independently movable needle
mounting members 396', 397' and 398' are pivotally mounted on the
shaft 395'. Spacers 401 and 402 are disposed on opposite sides of
the member 396'. The spacer 402 and a spacer 403 are disposed on
opposite sides of the member 397'. The spacer 403 and a spacer 404
are disposed on opposite sides of the member 398'. The mounting
members 396', 397' and 398' are identical so that only one, namely
the mounting member 396', is shown in detail in FIG. 45. The
respective needle mounting members 396', 397', and 398' are urged
counterclockwise by respective spiral springs 405', 406' and 407'
as viewed in FIG. 41, for example. In that the latches 396, 397 and
398 operate substantially in unison, the operation of these latches
and their respective needle mounting members 396', 397' and 398'
will be described with reference only to latch 396 and its
respective needle mounting member 396'. In FIG. 41, for example,
the needle mounting member 396' is latched in its clockwise
position by the latch 396. In particular, latching is accomplished
by a shoulder 396a of the latch 396 bearing against a pin 396b
carried by the member 396'.
As the slide 367 moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 42, the
latches 396, 397 and 398 eventually contact abutments or stop
screws 396c, 397c an 398c.
in the position shown in FIG. 42, the needle mounting members 396',
397' and 398' are still latched by respective latches 396, 397 and
398. As the slide 367 continues to move toward the left to the
position shown in FIG. 43, the stop screws 396c, 397c, and 398c
cause the latches 396, 397 and 398 to pivot counterclockwise in the
direction of arrow A2. The needle mounting members 396', 397' and
398' are prevented from rotating counterclockwise because their
respective abutment portions 405, 406 and 407 contact respective
stop screws or abutments 408, 409, and 410. Depending upon the
relative adjustments of screws 396c, 397c and 398c and related stop
screws 408, 409 and 410, the abutment portions 405, 406 and 407 may
contact stop screws 408, 409 and 410 before the slide 367 has moved
to the end of its travel to the left to its fully retracted
position. In this event, the needle mounting members 396', 397',
and 398' will actually pivot clockwise. On the other hand, if the
latches 396, 397 and 398 are tripped before abutment portions 405,
406 and 407 contact stop screws 408, 409 and 410, then tripping of
the latches 396, 397 and 398 will cause the needle mounting members
396', 397' and 398' to pivot counterclockwise until their
respective abutment portions 405, 406 and 407 contact respective
stop screws 408, 409 and 410. In any event, needles 411, 412 and
413 mounted by respective members 396', 397' and 398' remain below
the bottom tag T in the stack S. As the slide 382 is lowered, the
follower 371 pivots clockwise and the springs 369 and 370 drive the
slide 367 to the right. As the slide 367 moves to the right, the
needle mounting members 396', 397' and 398' pivot counter clockwise
until pins 396b, 397b and 398b contact respective abutment faces
396d, 397d, and 398d during pivotal movement of the needle mounting
members 396', 397' and 398' from the position shown in FIG. 43 to
the position shown in FIG. 44. The abutment faces 396d, 397d and
398d latch the respective needle mounting member 396', 397' and
398' in respective positions so that penetration of the needles
411, 412, and 413 is limited. The needles 411, 412, and 413, thus,
pivot into impaling engagement with the bottom tag T. The needles
411, 412 and 413 penetrate or pierce the bottom tag without passing
through the bottom tag T. As the slide 367 continues to move to the
right, the bottom tag T passes through the gate mechanism 227 to
the phantom line position shown in FIG. 44. At the end of travel of
the slide 367, namely its fully extended position shown in FIG. 44,
stop screws or abutments 414, 415, and 416 abut the needle mounting
members 396', 397' and 398' to cause their pivotal movement in a
clockwise direction about shaft 395' so that the latches 396, 397
and 398 can be pivoted clockwise by respective springs 396e, 397e,
and 398e as shown in FIG. 40. FIG. 40 shows the components in the
home position as in FIGS. 38, 39 and 41. It is noted in FIG. 40
that the rod 155 passes through a hole 418 in the plate 358 with
adequate clearance so that no part of the tag feeding assembly 182
contacts a rod 155.
With reference to FIG. 45, the needle mounting member 396' is shown
as having an elongated through-slot 419. The needle 411 is received
in the slot 419 and a flexible resilient plate 420 contacts the
needle 411 and frictionally and removably holds the needle 411 in
the slot 419. The plate 420 has a tab 421 against which blunt end
422 of the needle 411 is seated. Two screws 423 passing through
respective holes 424 in the plate 420 are received in threaded
holes 425 in the member 396'. An end portion 426 of the plate 420
adjacent the slot 419 is bent outwardly. A worn needle 411 can be
readily removed as by grasping the exposed end portion with pliers
and pulling the needle 411 out of the groove 419. A new needle
having a sharp end can be inserted into the groove 419 using pliers
which can be used to push the needle into the groove until end 422
is seated against the tab 421. The other mounting members 397' and
398' and associated latch components are identical to those shown
in FIG. 45.
Referring now to FIG. 46, the switches 344 and 345 include
mechanically connected switches 430 and 431 and 432 and 433,
respectively. When the switch 344 is closed, the switches 430 and
431 are closed, and vice versa. When the switch 345 is closed, the
switches 432 and 433 are closed, and vice versa. The clutch
solenoid 65 is connected to a normally closed switch 434. The
switch 430 is connected to a lead 435 and the switch 434 is
connected to a lead 436. The switches 430 and 432, the clutch
solenoid 65, and the switch 434 are connected in series. The
switches 431 and 433 are connected to the lead 435 and to a node
437'. A coil 438' of a relay 438 is connected to the node 437' and
to a node 439. A normally closed switch 440 and a normally open
switch 441 in parallel with each other are connected to a node 439
and to the lead 436. The switch 440 is controlled by a cam 437
secured to the cam shaft 67. When the cam shaft 67 is in the home
position the cam 437 holds the switch 440 open. The electric motor
51 is connected to the leads 435 and 436 through a switch 438a. The
motor 51 operates whenever the switch 438a is closed. When one of
the switches 344 or 345 is closed and the other one is open,
neither the clutch coil nor the relay coil 438' can be energized.
It is apparent that manual actuation of the actuator 342 or the
actuator 343 without actuation of the other is ineffective. It is
only when the switches 344 and 345 are simultaneously in the closed
position, that the clutch coil 65 is energized through the switches
430 and 432 and the normally closed switch 434. Energization of the
clutch coil 65 will cause the clutch 64 to be engaged, thereby
causing the cam shaft 67 to rotate. Rotation of the cam shaft 67
will cause the cam 437 to rotate, thereby closing the switch 440.
When the switch 440 is closed and assuming that at least one of the
switch elements 431 and 433 is still in the closed condition, the
relay 438 will be energized, thereby opening the switch 434 and
closing the switch 441. The switches 434 and 441 are part of the
relay 438 and are mechanically coupled to the relay coil 438' as
indicated by respective broken lines 442 and 443. Opening of the
switch 434 causes the clutch solenoid to be deenergized thereby
causing disengagement of the clutch at the end of one complete
rotation of the cam shaft 67. Energization of the relay coil 438'
so long as at least one of the switches 431 or 433 is closed,
prevents the switch 434 from closing and consequently prevents
energization of the clutch solenoid 65. If both of the actuators
342 and 343 are released, then both the switches 344 and 345 will
be open and consequently the switches 431 and 433 fail to complete
a circuit through the relay coil 438', thereby causing the switch
434 to close and the switch 441 to open. Accordingly, the clutch
can only be operated again by actuating both actuators 342 and 343
so that the switches 344 and 345 are simultaneously in the closed
condition. It is apparent that the switch 344 can be closed before
the switch 345 is closed, or vice versa, but it is only when both
the switches 344 and 345 are in the closed condition that the
clutch solenoid 65 is operated and the clutch solenoid 65 cannot
again be operated until after both the switches 344 and 345 are
released.
With reference to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 47, there
are shown leads 444 and 445. The lead 445 is connected to a node
446 through a switch 447. The electric motor 51 is connected to the
node 446 and to a node 448 which is connected to the lead 444.
Switches 449 and 450 and the clutch solenoid 65 are connected in
series with each other and in turn to respective nodes 446 and 448.
The switches 449 and 450 are positioned to be actuated by actuators
342 and 343 and are disposed in the same positions relative to the
actuators 342 and 343 as are the switches 344 and 345 in the other
embodiment. The switches 449, 450 and 447 are required to be in the
closed condition before the clutch solenoid 65 can be operated.
During operation of the machine, the switch 447 is closed to
operate the motor 51 and consequently actuation of the actuators
342 and 343 such that the switches 449 and 450 are both in the
closed condition at the same time will cause energization of the
clutch coil 65.
With reference to FIG. 48, there is shown a timing diagram showing
the movement of the pin driver 103, the plunger 124, the feed
fingers 165 and 166 and the feed assembly slide 382, with respect
to degrees of cam shaft rotation. It is apparent that the device
182 which separates the tag T from the stack S moves through an
operational sequence which overlaps the operational sequence of the
tag feeding device 181 which advances the tag T to the pinning
zone. It is to be noted that the movement of the feeding device 181
is completed relatively early in the machine cycle to position at
the pinning zone Z a tag T which was separated from the stock S by
the device 181 in the previous machine cycle. It is apparent that
in each machine cycle, a tag T is positioned at the pinning zone Z
and later in the same cycle a tag T is separated from the stack
S.
In operation, a pinning cycle is initiated by actuating both
operators 342 and 343, thereby causing operation of the clutch 64
and causing rotation of the cam shaft 67 through one revolution.
Initially the pin driver 103 is fully retracted, the pin plunger
124 is fully lowered, the feed fingers 165 and 166 are fully
retracted and the slide 382 is fully lowered. Rotation of the cam
shaft 67 causes the pin 130 to drive the follower 131 which drives
the feed fingers 165 and 166 toward the front of the machine to
feed a tag T, which was separated from the stack during the
previous cycle, to the pinning zone Z. As soon as the tag is
positioned at the pinning zone Z, the cams 72 and 73 drive rollers
100 and 101 to rotate the shaft 83 in a first direction, thereby
causing actuator 86 to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1. Such
movement of the actuator 86 causes the pin driver 103 to be driven
to the left (FIGS. 1 and 11) and also causes the roller 262'
carried by actuator 86 to engage cam face 286 and thereafter cam
lobes 284a and 284b. The cam face 286 and lobe 284a cause the lever
270 to pivot counterclockwise in FIG. 11 (clockwise in FIG. 5) to
move the member 129 downwardly into contact with the tag T which is
at the pinning zone Z. Rotation of the actuator 86 in the first
direction also drives the pin driver and hence the pin P to the
left in FIGS. 1 and 11. Meanwhile, the plunger 124 is being raised
and by the time the plunger 124 reaches the position shown in FIG.
12 the plunger 124 has bent the tag T. Continued rotation of the
actuator 86 causes the pin P to be driven through the tag T,
through the merchandise M, again through the merchandise M, and
again through the tag T to the position shown in FIG. 14. In the
position shown in FIG. 14, the roller 262' has moved off the cam
lobe 284a and is in the cam between cam lobes 284a and 284b, and
thus the lever 270 is moved by spring 285 to raise the member 129.
As the actuator 86 continues to move in the first direction, the
member 129 is again moved downwardly due to cooperation of the cam
lobe 284b with the roller 262' to bend the pin P downwardly into
the tag as the pin P is being guided by the member 129, as shown in
FIG. 15. The end portion of the pin P passes through the tag T for
the third time and is in supported contact with the support 185" by
the time the roller 262' is in the position shown in FIG. 16. When
the actuator 86 moves in the second direction, that is, opposite
from the first direction, the roller 262' contacts the cam face 288
which causes the member 129 to be driven to a lower position than
in either of FIGS. 13 or 15 to crimp the pin P. During the cycle
the slide 382 moves gradually upward to the fully raised position
as best shown in FIG. 48. The needles 411, 412 and 413 are driven
from the position shown in FIGS. 39, 40 and 41 and successively
through the positions shown in FIGS. 42, 43, and 44. Near the end
of the cycle, the needles 41, 412 and 413 move from the position
shown in FIG. 43, through the position shown in FIG. 44 to the
position shown in FIGS. 39, 40 and 41 to separate a tag T from the
stack and move it slightly forward to the position shown in FIG.
44. By the time the components of the device 182 reach the position
shown in FIG. 40 for example, the slide 382 has returned to its
initial position. Other embodiments and modifications of this
invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and
all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are
included within its scope as best defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *